Concentrating machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. C RICKEL CONCENTHATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16', 1931 INVENTOR. W////0/77 C fiM/re/ Feb. 20, 1934.

A TTORNEY.

Feb. 20, 1934.

W. C. RICKEL CONCENTRATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 3 1 NVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES CONOENTRATING MACHINE William. C. Rickel, Bethel, Kans.

Application December 16, 1931 Serial No. 581,305

15. Claims.

This invention relates to-concentrating machines and particularly to those of that characterfor concentrating and separating metal-bearing ores, and has for its principal object to provide an efiicient, simply constructed mechanism whereby acontinuous stream of oreslush is thoroughly'agitated in its passage therethrough to settle out and trap heavy concentrates and free metals.

Itis also an important object ofthe invention to provide a concentrating chamber having changing vibration to keep the entiremass of slush in'constant agitation and moving through the chamber in rolling'cascades to preventbanking. up of waste material that may hinder the separation process.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a relatively small machine having large capacities whereby it may operate efficiently in rerunning tailing piles and ores having small quantities of precious metals which were not susceptible to treatmentby previous processes.

It is also an object of the invention to provide for amalgamation of the free gold and silver particles carried in the slush, and particularly the flour gold which is washed into contact with amalgamated surfaces by the cascade action of'the slush.

A further object of the. invention is to provide for locking of the concentrating chamber to prevent unauthorized tampering with the collected metals and concentrates.

In accomplishing these and other objects of my. invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred formcf which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a concentrator constructed in accordance with my invention, parts of the wall of the concentrator chamber and the ore delivery hopper being broken away to better illustrate their construction.

Fig. 2 is a planview of the concentrator.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the concentratorillustrating part of the storage hopper in section to better illustrate the grizzly and the diaphragm dividing the hopper to enable substantially-uniform feed of theme to the concentrating cham- ,ber.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal view of the feed hopper'illustrating the feed screw and the driving mechanism therefor.

Fig. 51s a detail elevational view of the driving arm: for actuating the feed screw crank lever.

Fig; 6 is a sectional view through the eccentric for gyrating the inlet end of the concentrating chamber.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the eccentrio. and its bearing illustrating the universal mounting of the eccentric.

' Fig. 8 is a. detail sectional view through one of the trunnions for mounting the eccentric bearingring.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the eccentric and its bearing support at the delivery end of the concentrating chamber.

Fig; 10 is an elevational view of the eccentric and the bearing support illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view through the concentrating chamber particularly illustrating the baflie plates and the mercury-containing troughs at the sides of the chamber.

Fig. 12. is a side elevational view of the concentrating chamber, partcf the inlet end being shown in section to better illustrate the mercury trough and bafile arrangement.

Fig.- IB is anv enlarged detail sectional view through a portion of a side wall of the concentrating-chamber and one of the mercury-containing troughs supported thereby.

Fig. 14-is adetail perspective view of the plate controlling flow from the concentrating chamber. Referring more in detail to the drawings: land 2 designate spaced, parallel runners or skids for mounting an angle iron framework 3 which supports the concentrating machine embodying my invention.

The frame'3 includes short vertical legs 4-5 mounted adjacent the rear ends of the skids and similarlegs 67 spaced inwardly from the opposite ends of the skids, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The upper ends of the legs 45 and -67 are connected by horizontal angle bars 8 and 9, the form supports for yoke-shapedbearing supporting members 1011 that pivotally mount eccentric bearing blocksor rings 12-13.

The yoke supports each includes vertical arms 14-'-l5 connectedat their lower ends by a horizontal bar 16 that is pivotally mounted on the anglebars 89 by bolts or thelike 17, whereby the supporting yokes are adapted to oscillate in a verticalplane to compensate for the difference in theclegree of gyration between the respective ends of the concentrating chamber later described.

Threaded into openings 18in the upper ends of the arms l415 of each yoke member are trunnions 19- havinghead portions 20 and lock'nuts 21 adapted to lock the trunnions in adjusted position in the arms, asbest illustrated in Fig. 8.

The inner ends of. the trunnions are provided with extensions 22 forrotatably mounting the bearing blocks 12 .or 13, whereby the bearing blocks may oscillate in a direction at right angles to oscillation of the .yoke members to accommodate the up and down movement of the concentrator chamber. effected by eccentrics later described..

The bearing members 12 and 13 preferably comprise ring-like members having fiat sides 2324 provided with bushed openings 25 for mounting on the extensions 22 of the trunnion member. s

The bearing blocks are provided with cylindrical bore 26 for mounting eccentric disks 27-28, respectively. These ecentric disks preferably comprise cylindrical body portions 29 of suitable diameter to snugly rotate within the cylindrical bores 26 and are provided on their inner faces with integral flanges 30 engaging the inner faces of the bearing members 12 or 13 to prevent outward movement of the eccentric disks.

Secured to the opposite faces of the eccentric disks are plates 31 having substantially the same diameter as the flanges 30 to engage the opposite faces of the bearing members to prevent lateral movement of the eccentric disks relative to the bearing members and take up end thrusts imparted thereagainst by the movements of the concentrating chamber.

The trunnions 20 and the bearing members 12 and 13 may be provided with drilled channels 32-33 to which are connected suitable fittings 34 through which grease may be supplied to lubricate the Working parts and prevent friction and Wear thereof.

The bolts 17 also extend through bushed openings 35 in the center bar portion 16 of the yokes and are retained by nuts 38 engaging the under face of the angles 8-9.

Extending upwardly adjacent the forward ends of the skids are vertical angle posts or legs 37- 38, and fixed thereto and to the upper ends of the vertical posts 45 and 6-7 are longitudinally extending angle bars 39-40 which are preferably connected by bolts 41 so that the parts may be readily disassembled when transporting the machine from one location to another.

Fixed to the longitudinal angle members 39-40 at points adjacent the upper ends of the supporting posts 6-7 are vertically extending angle members 42-43 that are connected at their upper ends by a cross angle 44 complementary to a similar angle 45 connecting the upper ends of the legs 3'? and 38. The upper ends of the legs 2- and 43-38 are also connected below the cross angles 44-45 with spaced angles 46--47. The angles 44-45 and 46-47 thus form a rectangular frame for supporting a storage hopper 48 and a superimposed V shaped grizzly 49. The supporting framework thus described is rigidly constructed but is simple and light in weight in order that the machine may be readily slid along a tailing pile upon its skids.

, Mounted in bearing openings 5051 eccentrically located in the respective eccentric disks 28-29 are tubular trunnion shafts 52-53 carrying the ends of the concentrating chamber 54 and suspending it for operation between the bearing supports, as later described. The concentrating chamber preferably comprises a rectangular hollow box-like member having end walls 55-51% provided with laterally extending, peripheral flanges 5'7 for securing side walls 58-59 which are also provided on their upper and lower edges with similar flanges for bolting a bottom plate 60 having its inner surface coated with an amalgamating material and constituting the bottom of the concentrating chamber, and for securing a hinged cover 61 now described. The cover comprises a plate similar to the bottom and has naves 62 along one edge to engage similar nave portions 63 on the upper flange of the side plate 58 to form a hinge. The longitudinal opposite edge of the cover plate is provided with a lateral, upwardly extending flange 64 forming a lip over which fastening devices 65 are hooked to clamp the hinged cover in closed position when the machine is in operation and prevent spilling of the concentrates.

The hook-shaped fastening members 65 are pivotally supported between ears 66 on the side plates 59, and are provided with cam-shaped locking levers 67 for moving the hooks into and out of clamping engagement with the flange 64.

The respective members comprising the walls of the box are preferably secured together by bolts 68, whereby the parts may be readily assembled or-disassembled when it is desired to move the apparatus to a remote location or to insert new amalgamating plates, suitable gaskets 69 being placed between the plates to provide tight joints.

The interior of the concentrating chamber is divided by a plurality of spaced bafiles or surge plates 70 having apertures 71 to allow flow of slush therethrough. The lower edges '72 of the plates are spaced from the bottom of the chamber to allow passage of water thereunder and maintain the heavy bed of concentrates clear of the lighter components of the slush which are washed to the rear end of the chamber and are discharged through an opening 73 in the side thereof. The lower corners of the bafiles are provided with triangular shaped extensions 74 and '75 to retain the concentrates in their respective compartments and between the plates. The opening 73 is normally covered by a hinge plate or door 76 having a locking clamp '77 whereby the hinge plate may be locked in closed position when the device is not operating, to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the chamber. If desired, a similar opening may be provided in the opposite wall of the chamber so that the waste material may be discharged at either side or from both sides.

In order to control flow through the openings plates 78, having proper sized and shaped openings 79,'are slidably and removably mounted in guides 30 fixed to the inner side Walls of the chamber adjacent the door openings.

Supported on the bottom of the housing in line with the splash plates '70 are V-shaped ripple plates 31 extending entirely across the bottom to pr vent washing away of the concentrates trapped thereby.

The tubular trunnion 53 is fixed to and extends through the end plate constituting the inlet end of the chamber, and is provided in its upper periphery exteriorly of the chamber with a rectangular inlet opening 82. Bolted to the trunnion in line with the inlet is a hopper 83 for receiving the material fed from the hopper 48 i and to guide the material through the opening into the trunnion.

The inner end of the trunnion 53 projects within the concentrator chamber and is provided with an outlet opening 84 through which the material is discharged into the chamber. tatably mounted in the trunnion is a shaft 85 carrying a spiral screw flighting 86 for feeding material from the hopper 83 to the concentrating chamber. The ends of the trunnion are provided with bearings 87 for the shaft 85, and the bearings are sealed by suitable packing glands 88 to exclude the slush therefrom. Fixed on the outer end of the shaft is an actuating crank 89 having a lateral extending crank pin 90 for engaging in a slotted arm 91 mounted on a countershaft 92.

The countershaft 92 is supported by bearings 93 carried on cross angle bars 94 supported at their ends and from angle irons 9595 connecting the legs 37e2 and 38-43, respectively, as best illustrated in Fig. 2. a

Fixed on the shaft 92 is a sprocket 96 that is actuated by a chain 97 running over a sprocket 98 on a power shaft 99. The power shaft is rotatably mounted in bearings 100-101 supported by the framework carrying the eccentric bearings previously described, and in a bearing 102 supported between the legs 3738, as best illustrated in Fig. 1. The rear end of the shaft projects beyond the outer end of the framework and carries a drive sprocket 103 driven by a belt or chain from any suitable source of power, not shown. The rear trunnion has its inner end secured to the opposite end plate of the chamber and projects through the opening inthe eccentric 28.

In order to rotate the eccentrics 27-28, they are provided with ring-shaped sprockets 104- 105, respectively, operated by chains 10610'7 which are driven by sprockets 108109 on the power shaft. The sprockets 108109, as well as the sprockets 104-105, are preferably of differential diameter in order that the forward end of the concentrator housing will be gyrated at a greater speed than the rear end to obtain maximum vibration and to effect movement of the slush toward the rear end of the concentrating chamber.

The trunnion openings in the eccentrics 2728 j are located different distances from their axes to vary the extent of gyration of the ends of the concentrating chamber so that the rear end of the chamber will have a greater degree of gyration than the forward end. This is a very important feature of the invention, as it prevents the concentrator chamber from operating on common centers and thereby prevents the slush from continually cascading in the same directions.

In order that the concentrating chamber may be retained in upright position with the hinged cover at the top and at the same time be oscillated on its trunnions during their gyration, I provide the rear trunnion 52 with a fixed crank 110 which is connected by a link 111 with a fixed angle support 112 connected at its lower end to the skid 1 and to the projecting end of the angle member 39. It is thus obvious that the fixed end of the connecting link 111 will limit the extent of movement of the crank arm to an arcuate path defined by the relative relation of the length of the arm and the connecting link.

If desired, the slush may be discharged through the rear trunnion but in most instances this will be closed by a suitable cap 113 so that all the slush will be discharged through the opening '73.

The eccentrics may be provided with a plurality of bearing openings for the trunnions differentially spaced from their centers, as illustrated in Fig. 10, so that the degree of gyration of the concentrating chamber may be varied by selecting the desired bearing opening for the trunnion shafts.

In order that the feed from the hopper 48 will be continuous, I prefer to provide a division plate 114 dividing the hopper into separate compartments 115 and 116, and having its upper end pivoted to a shaft 117 extending centrally below the apex of the grizzly and having its ends mounted in extensions 118-119 of the hopper. One end of the shaft is provided with a crank arm 120 operating over a rack segment 121, whereby the division plate may be swung from one side to the other of the opening in the bottom of the hopper to allow feed from either one of compartments 115-116, the idea being that when one compartment is being emptied by feed into the concentrating machine, the opposite side is being filled with ore.

The free gold and silver may be amalgamated on the mercurized plate forming the bottom of the housing and, if desired, suitable mercury troughs 124 may be supported on the sides of the housing. These troughs preferably comprise rear walls 125, bottom walls 126, and front walls 127 inclined toward the rear walls to provide rather narrow inlet openings 128 to allow the free gold or heavy concentrates to drop into the troughs and be amalgamated by mercury carried therein, as best illustrated in Fig. 13.

If desired, the troughs may be eliminated and amalgamated plates, similar to the bottom plate, may be used in place thereof.

In operating a machine constructed and assembled as described, the pulley 103 is belted or chained to suitable power to drive the eccentrics 27-28 and the conveyor screw 86. Ore is then shoveled through the grizzly to fill one side of the hopper. The division plate is then moved to allow feed to the feed hopper 83, at the same time water-is discharged into the hopper to produce a slush through a supply pipe 129. Rotation of the eccentrics causes gyration of the trunnions in a circular direction and a similar gyration of the ends of the concentrating chamber. This gyration at diiferent speeds and throw of the eccentrics produces a differential, continually changing. wabbling motion of the chamber, the corners thereof dipping and raising at varying degrees and angles that are constantly changing to produce constantly changing movements of the slush.

While the material is being fed from one side of the hopper, ore is delivered through the opposite side of the grizzly to fill'the other side of the hopper.

Differential gyration of the opposite ends of the concentrating chamber, together with the rocking oscillatory movement thereof produced by the crank 110 and the connecting link 111, causes the material to be cascaded about between the bafiie plates '70 with constantly changing directions and degrees of force due to the variation in the tilting movements of the chamber. The heavy concentrates are caused to settle to the bottom of the chamber and be caught between the triangular shaped ripple plates 81. The lighter materials, being carried to the opposite end of the chamber, are finally discharged with the water through the opening 73 when that side of the concentrating chamber dips in a downwardly direction.

It is obvious that the variable rocking motion of the concentrating chamber churns the material in loose condition, thereby preventing packing thereof over the amalgamating surfaces.

It is also obvious that the side to side rocking motion of the concentrating chamber alternately into contact with the amalgamating material to effect amalgamation thereof.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics, and means supporting the eccentrics.

2. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics, and universal means supporting the eccentrics.

3. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics. bearing rings supporting the eccentrics, yokes pivotally supporting said rings, and means for pivotally mounting said yokes.

4. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics at different speeds to effect gyration of said chamber, and means supporting the eccentrics.

5. In a machine of the character described. a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics, bearing rings supporting the eccentrics, yolzes pivotally supporting said rings, means for pivotally mounting said yokes, and a crank on one of said trunnions for effecting oscillation of said chamber.

6. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting :ie trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics, means supporting the eccentrics, and a crank on one of said trunnions for efiecting oscillation of said chamber.

7. In a machine of the character described, a concentratingchamber, means for feeding material to said chamber, means for gyrating ends of the chamber to effect concentration of portions of said material, means for simultaneously oscillating the chamber, and amalgamative means in the chamber for amalgamating other portions of said material.

8. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for passing material through said chamber, trunnions supporting ends of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means for rotating the eccentrics, means supporting the eccentrics, a crank on one of said trunnions for effecting oscillation of said chamber, and amalgamating means in the chamber for amalgamating portions of said material.

9. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for feeding material to said chamber, a support, means pivotally mounting opposite ends of said chamber on the support, and means for gyrating the ends of the chamber through fixed circular paths around the axes of said mounting means at different speeds to effect concentration of portions of said material.

10. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, means for feeding material to said chamber, a support, means mounting the opposite ends of the cham ber on the support, and means for gyrating the ends of the chamber through fixed circular paths at different speeds around the axes of said mounting means to effect a cascading rotary movement of the material, said paths being of differential diameters to effect substantially the same cascading motion in the direction of flow of the material toward said outlet.

11. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber, means for feeding material to said chamber, a support, means pivotally mounting opposite ends of the chamber on the support, means for gyrating ends of the chamber through fixed circular paths at different speeds around the axes of said pivotal mounting means to effect concentration of portions of said material, and means for simultaneously oscillating the chamber on the axes of the pivotal mounting means during gyration.

12. In a machine of the character described, a support, means pivotally mounting opposite ends of the chamber on the support, a concentrating chamber, means for feeding material to said chamber, means for gyrating ends of the chainber through fixed circular paths of different diameters around the axes of said pivotal mounting means at different speeds to effect concentration of portions of said material, and means for simultaneously oscillating the chamber.

13. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber having an opening at one end, a support, a tubular trunnion fixed in said opening, a trunnion at the opposite end of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means on the support for mounting the eccentrics, means for rotating the eccentrics, and means carried on the support in communication with the tubular trunnion for feeding material to said chamber.

14. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber having an opening at one end, a support, a tubular trunnion fixed in said opening, a trunnion at the opposite end of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means on the support for mounting the eccentrics, means for rotating the eccentrics, means carried on the support in communication with the tubular trunnion for feeding material to said chamber, and a screw conveyor rotatably mounted in the trunnion for promoting feed of material to the concentrating chamber.

15. In a machine of the character described, a concentrating chamber having an opening at one end, a support, a tubular trunnion fixed in said opening, a trunnion at the opposite end of the chamber, eccentrics mounting the trunnions, means on the support for mounting the eccentrics, means for rotating the eccentrics, means carried on the support in communication with the tubular trunnion for feeding material to said chamber, and a hopper supported on the tubular trunnion for containing material to be delivered 

